Furnace



c. F. KENWORTHYV FURNACE. APPLICATION FILEDSEPLZS, 1919.

4 snzns susm 1.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY C. F. KENWORTHY.

FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED S PT.2, [918.

1,388,575. Patented'Aug. 23, 1921.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2. v M I i, E e

BYg AOREY C. FL KENWORTHY.

FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.26| I919.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

INVENTOR fi/if/V WO/fT/z Y. M

ATTORNEY UlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. KEWOR'II-IY, F WAtTERBUB/Y, UONNEGTIGUT.

F'URNAGE.

naaaara Specification of Letters ltatent. Patented Aug. 23, 19231,,

Application filed September 536, 1919. Serial No. 326,655.

" ments in Furnaces, of which the following Til lib

is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention has relation to apparatus useful for annealing purposes and in accordance therewith, the improved apparatus consists of one or more combustion or heating chambers, a sealing tank containing a bath in which the work undergoing the annealing process is plunged after heating and a conveyer by means of which the work is conveyed from the loading point indirectly into the combustion or tit) til

heatin chambers, from thence directly into the sealing tank and from this tank back to the loading or initial position, where the work may drain, cool and be conveniently unloaded.

The conveyor is provided with two receptacles or carriers for the work, the number of the receptacles being desirably a multiple of two so as to increase the capacity of the apparatus so far as possible. With a multiple of two, for example, four receptacles, and a heating chamber for each pair of re-. ceptacles, two of the receptacles containing the work may be within the heating chambers and the other two receptacles at the initial point being unloaded of work that has passed through the bath in the sealing tank and then reloaded with new work.

By this arrangement, the operation of the annealing is rendered practically continuous, eliminating unnecessary labor and without loss of time and for the reason that tiitt the work is conveyed directly from the heating chamber into the sealing bath without being exposed to the atmosphere, the apparatus is particularly useful for annealing non-ferrous metals, which not being exposed to the atmosphere, during certain stages of the annealing operation, are not subjected todeleterious action, causing oirids, for example, to form which must be removed by a subsequent pickling or other operation.

The object of this invention, among other things, is to attain all the advantages incidentally referred to above, and by simple and efficient means. Furthermore, an essential part of the invention lies in the construction, operation and arrangement of the conveyor in such manner that the rotation thereof to bring the receptacles into proper set position relative to the heating chambers is entirely automatic and effected solely by the force of gravity.

An embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein- Flgure 1 IS a perspectlve view showing the complete apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail centrally taken vertical section, showing a portion of the conveyer and the bearing therefor; the conveyor resting in its lowermost position;

Fig. 3 is a detail, fragmentary view partly in section showing portions of the apparatus, and the conveyer being in its highest position;

Fig. 4C is a detail side elevation of a guiding and locking device for the conveyer;

Fig. 5 is a detail end elevation. of the aforesaid guiding and locking device; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a plan view and a side elevation, partly in section, and showing portions of the mechanism which effects self rotation of the conveyor, the section of Fig. 6 being taken on line 66 of Fig. 7, which latter figure is a vertical section taken on line 7"? of Fig. 6.

The apparatus illustrated in said drawings consists of asuitable tank 1, having superposed thereon, a pair of furnaces 'or mufiles 2 and 3, of any type suitable for the purpose of generating sufficient heat for heating to the required degree of temperature the work contained within the closed retorts 4 and 5. These retorts are stationary and are surrounded by the fire brick lined combustion chamber or heating space 6 of the furnaces or muffles. A floor plate 7 covers the tank 1, and the furnaces together with the retorts, rest upon this.

.atmospheric pressure, these gases escape through a vent 11 in the upper ends of the retorts and thence through a valve, not shown. Also non-consumed products of combustion and gases from the furnace escape through a series of vents 12 and are directed by hood 13 to pass into a suitable flue, not shown.

The ascending and descending conveyer employed with the improved apparatus, may be operated by any suitable power, hydraulic for instance and when the latter power is employed, thecentrally located, vertically moving, piston cylinder 14 is provided. The stationary piston 15 within said cylinder, on which the latter slides and turns, is threaded at its end 16 to the stationary bed 17 resting upon the plate 18. A head 19 carrying plates 20 and 21 is secured to the lower end of the cylinder 14 and the upper end of this cylinder is closed by a cap 22. Beams 2.3 are secured to said head 19 between said plates 20 and 21, said beams projecting radially therefrom and adjacent to each extremity carrying one of a series of receptacles or work carriers in the form of drums which are preferably employed in pairs and the drums belonging to the same pair, being diametrically opposite to each other. One pair of drums, designated by the numerals 24 and 25, and the other pair by numerals 26 and 27, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are open at the tops but they may be otherwise constructed to suit the nature of the Work to be operated upon, one form of such modified construction being shown in Fig. 3 wherein a skeleton frame 28 is secured to each drum.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be seen that drums 26 and 27 are in direct vertical alinement with the retorts 4 and 5 and the drums '24 and 25 are in alinement with the openings 8 in the floor plate 7. In this figure, the

conveyer is in its lowermost position and to elevate the same the operator, standingon the floor plate, manipulates the controlling valve 29 to start the conveyer. The move-' ment of the conveyer is guided by means of rollers 30, which are mounted in the brackets 47 carried on the ends of the beams 23, and engaging tracks 31 secured to the inner walls of the tank. During the descending movement of the conveyer, the cylinder 14 and platform, the latter being composed of the plates 20 and 21, head 19 and beams 23 carrying the receptacle drum, is automatically rotated 90 so that the relative position of the drums are changed, that is, the drums 24 and 25, are brought into alinement with the retorts 4 and 5 and the drums 26 and 27 into alinement with the openings 8.

The mechanism for effecting the auto matic rotation of the conveyer platform is particularly shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and consists partly of a cam plate 32, shown.in broken lines in Fig. 6 and having inclined planes 33 thereon. The said cam plate is secured to, the underside of the platform beams and rotates therewith. An intermediate plate 34 rotates loosely on an extension 35 of the bed 17. The rotation of the latter plate is independent of other parts of the mechanism at times, and carries a series of radially disposed stud shafts 36, each having mounted thereon a pair of rollers 37, and a single roller 38 mounted therebetween. All the rollers rotate independently of each other and the rollers 38 travel under the movable inclined planes 33 on the said cam plate. The rollers 37 travel upon stationary inclined planes 39 provided on the upper surface of the bed 17 and the latter planes are allied with planes 33, but are reversed relative thereto so as to effect rotary movement of the conveyer and inclined planes 39 are preferably of greater pitch than planes 33 so as. to accelerate rotary motion of the conveyer at starting.

The stationary bed 17 carries a series of arms 40 conveniently secured to ears 41 thereon and one end of a coil spring 42 is anchored to the free end of each of said arms. These springs are connected one to each of said stud shafts 36 in such a manner as to tend to centralize said intermediate plate 34 so that the normal position thereof is such that the rollers 37 and 38 are brought into a position to engage the highest points of the inclined planes 39 and 33, respectively. I

The platform aforesaid is rotated by the force of gravity and in the following manner: When the platform is elevated, weight is taken off the rollers 37 and 38, then the springs 42 return the intermediate plate to the centralized position in which the rollers 37 are brought to the highest point on the inclined planes 39 and the rollers 38 will come into contact with the highest point of the inclined planes 33 when the platform is lowered. Thestop plates 55 at the end of each of the inclined planes 39 stop the movement of the rollers 37 at this point. The platform will not come to a state of rest while the rollers are in said positions rela tively to the inclined planes engaged thereby, therefore, to reach the state of rest, the p atform must rotate until the aforesaid lll tltll rollers reach the lowest point of the inclined planes.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, a self acting latch device is provided to lock the platform in a position to obtain proper alinement of the receptacle or drums. This device consists of the latch pawl 43 pivotally mounted in bracket 44,

which bracket is secured to the inner wall of the tank 1. A spring 45 holds the latch pawl normally in a horizontal position, but when the platform descends to its lowest position, the end 46 of the bracket 47, carrying the roller 30, strikes the latch pawl and forces it into the lower dotted line position shown in Fig. 4 against the spring 45. When the latch is no longer engaged by the bracket end 46, the spring 45 returns the latch pawl 43 to the normal or horizontal position. At this time, assuming that the platform is rotating, in the course of rotation the inclined surface of the lug 48, on the bracket 47, will engage and lift the latch until the latter is in alinement with the recess 49 in the bracket 47. The latch pawl 43 will then drop into the recess 49, by gravity alone, and the platform is then effectually locked against further rotation. The latch,

besides being self locking, as described, is.

also self releasing, for when the platform ascends, the latch is automatically lifted to the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 4 and thus removed from the upward path of the bracket 47. When the latch is thus released from its engagement in the recess 49, continued rotation of the platform is arrested by engagement of the guide rollers 30 in the tracks 31 which tracks are defined by plates 50 having the lower ends thereof oppositely flared at 51 to provide a wider approach to said tracks.

' As shown more clearly in enlarged View,

Fig. 2, the water for operating the platform, passes through duct 52 in the bed 17. Hydraulic pressure thus obtained, will lift the outer cylinder 14 carrying therewith the platform. The cylinder 14 slides on the piston 15, a suitable stuiiing box 53 and packing rings 54 being provided to insure a tight joint, which is essential, particularly so because the cylinder rotates on the piston at this point. The weight of the conveyer is, however, mainly borne by the rollers 37 and 38, when the platform is in its lowest position, but by operation of the valve 29, the water of the hydraulic system can be utilized as a cushion and thus provide an ideal step bearing on which the entire conveyer may turn, which is a desirable feature,

particularlywith an apparatus having a comparatively great capacity;

The operation of the improved apparatus is simple as will now be explained. Assuming that the conveyer is in the position shown in Fig. l. The operator standing in a convenient position, will first manipulate the usual controlling devices to cause the conveyer to rise so that it is brought to the elevated position wherein access can be obtained to receptacles 24 and 25, which are then charged. The conveyer then is caused to descend and through the automatic, partial rotation of the conveyer, the charged re .ceptacles will take the place previously held by the receptacles 26 and 27. The conveyer is then again elevated and the charged receptacles are brought into the retorts 4 and 5 and the receptacles 26 and 27 are in a position to be charged. When the work in re ceptacles 24 and 25 has been subjected sulficiently to the heat of the retorts, the conveyer is lowered and during the time re quired for the work to stay in the bath, the conveyer remains in its lowermost position.

It will be understood, if an apparatus of a comparatively limited capacity is re quired only one furnace, one retort and two receptacles may be required with the apparatus illustrated herein, and if the capacity of the apparatus needs to be increased, an additional furnace, retort and pair of receptacles can readily be installed.

Modifications in the details of construc tion of the apparatus hereinbefore.described may be made and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact details herein shown and described but desire to cover all modifications which come fairly within the terms of the appended claims. Neither do I limit myself particularly to the use of my improved invention solely for annealing purposes because as will be readily seen my improved apparatus may be usefully employed for tempering ferrous metals, for example.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In anapparatus of the class described, a conveyer; and automatic mechanical means for effecting self-rotation thereof.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer; and automatic means for effecting self-rotation thereof, the weight of said conveyer providing the force to initiate the action thereof.

3.111 an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotary conveyer; of self acting means for locking said conveyer in predetermined positions.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a rotary conveyer; of self acting means for locking said conveyer in predetermined positions; and self acting means for releasing said locking means.

5. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a rotary ascending and descending conveyer; of self acting means for locking said conveyer in predetermined positions; and means for guiding the movement of said conveyer during its ascension.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer; and self acting means for looking said conveyer in predetermined positions; said means comprising a latch alternately engaging a series of recesses, pro vided one in each of supports connected with the conveyer; and means adjacent for guiding said latch into engagement therewith.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer; self acting means for locking said conveyer in predetermined positions; self acting means for releasing, said locking means comprising a latch serving as said locking means and capable of being lifted out of locking engagement when said conveyer is raised.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer; and automatic means operated by the force of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension.

9. In an apparatus of the class described comprising a tank; a furnace having sealed communication with said tank; a conveyer provided with a plurality of receptacles; and mechanical means for automatically rotat ing said conveyer to alternately place said receptacles in alinement with said furnace.

10. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a tank, a furnace having sealed communication with said tank; a conveyer; for effecting self intermittent rotative movement of said conveyer; a plurality of work carriers on said conveyer and means for antomatically locking said conveyer in predetermined radial positions. 1

11. In an apparatus of the class described,

a conveyer and means for efiecting self rotation of said conveyer, comprising an in clined plane movable with said conveyer, a reversed inclined plane connected with a part independent of said movable inclined plane and an intermediate member egaging both of said inclined planes.

12. In an' apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer and automatic means operated by the force of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension, comprising an inclined plane movable with said conveyer; a

stationary inclined plane and an intermediate member having parts thereon engaging said'inclined planes. I

13. In an apparatus ofthe class described,

an ascending and descending conveyer; au-

tom'atie means operated by the force ofgravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension and automatically actuated means for locking said conveyer in predetermined positions; said automatic turning means comprising upper inclined planes movable with said conveyer; reversed lower stationary inclined planes, an intermediate member, and rollers thereon that travel between said upper and lower inclined planes, the said predetermined posi tions of the conveyer being determined by I the positions of said rollers relatively to said inclined planes.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer; automatic means operated by the force of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension and means for guiding the movement of the conveyer during its ascension; said guiding means comprising one of a series of members carried upon said conveyer and traveling in a defined path.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer; automatic means operated by the force of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension comprising movable inclined planes, reversed inclined planes, and an intermediate member having, parts thereon that travel between said inclined planes and in its normal position engaging the highest surfaces of said inclined planes; self locking means automatically actuated during the ascension of said conveyer comprising a latch engaged by one of a series of engaging means carried on said c011- veyer; and means for releasing said self locking means whereby said conveyer may be guided during its ascension comprising means, on said conveyer for removing said latch from the vertical path of said engaging means.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer; a plurality of work carriers supported on said conveyer; means operated automatically by the force of gravity whereby said conveyer has imparted thereto an intermittent rotative movement during each descension thereof; and automatically operated locking means whereby said conveyer is locked in predetermined radial positions; said locking means comprising a plurality of supports, each carryin one of said work carriers, a plurality o recesses, one being provided at each end of said supports and a latch located in the path of rotation of the ends of said supports so as to be alternately engaged by said recesses.

17. An apparatus-of the class described comprising a tank; a furnace having sealed communication with said tank; an ascending and descending conveyer; means automatically operated by the force of gravity whereby said conveyer has imparted thereto an intermittent rotative movement duri each descension thereof; automatically operated locking means whereby said conveyer is locked in predetermined radial positions;

bill

means operated automatically during the ascension of the conveyer for releasing said locking means and means for guiding the travel of said conveyer during its ascension; said guiding means comprising supports for said work carriers one at each extremity of said support, and a track inside of the aforesaid tank alternately engaging said rollers.

18. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a tank; a furnace having sealed communication with said tank; an, ascending and descending conveyer; means automatically operated by the force of gravity whereby said conveyer has imparted thereto an intermittent rotative movement during each descension thereof; automatically operated locking means whereby said conveyer is locked in. predetermined radial positions; means operated automatically during the ascension of the conveyer for releasing said locking means and means for guiding the travel ofsaid conveyer during its ascension; said guiding means comprising supports for said work carriers one at each extremity of said support, a track inside of the aforesaid tank alternately engaging said rollers, and a flared opening at one end of said track whereby the engaged roller is guided into said track.

19. In a furnace of the class described, a tank containing a plunging bath; a pair of furnaces upon said tank; an ascending and descending conveyer having work carrier's supported thereon; and means utilizing gravity as the propelling force for self rotating said conveyer at each descension thereof, whereby said work carriers are alternately brought into register with each of said furnaces.

20. In an annealing apparatus of the class described, an immersing tank; one or more furnaces, each furnace inclosing a heating retort and each retort having an open bottom sealed by the contents of said tank; an. ascending and descending conveyer carrying thereon in opposite radial positions, a pair of work carriers for each furnace employed; gravity actuated'means providing a bearing for and eifecting self rotation of said conveyer to alternately change the alined positions of said work carriers relatively to the retorts; and means for locking and guiding said conveyer in predetermined radial positions to maintain the work carriers alined with said retorts in, such position during the ascent of said conveyer.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer and means for effecting self rotation of said conveyer; said means comprising a member having inclined planes thereon movable with said conveyer; reversed stationary inclined planes allied with the aforesaid movablc inclined planes; one of said planes having a greater pitch than that of the other plane to accelerate rotary motion' of the conveyer at starting; and an intermediate member' engaging said inclined planes.

22. In an apparatus of the class described having a tank; a furnace having sealed communication with said tank; a conveyer provided with alplurality of receptacles; and

against rotation, and an intermediate member engaging both of said inclined planes. 24. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a tank, a furnace'having sealed communication with said tank, a conveyer, means for effecting self-intermittent rotative movement of said conveyer, a plurality of work carriers on said conveyer and means within the liquid in said tank for automatically locking said conveyer in predeten mined radial positions.

25. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a tank, a furnace having sealed communication with said tank, a conveyer, means within the liquid in said tank for effecting self-intermittent rotative movement of said conveyer, a plurality of work carriers on said conveyer and means within the liquid in said tank for automatically locking said conveyer in predetermined radial positions. 26. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer and means for effecting sclf-rotation of said conveyer, said means comprising a member having inclined planes thereon, reversed inclined planes allied with the aforesaid inclined planes, one of said planes being stationary, and one of said planes having a greater pitch than that of the other plane whereby rotary motion of the conveyer at starting is accelerated; and an intermediate member engaging said inclined planes. I

27. In an apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer; and automatic means operated by the force of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension comprising movable inclined planes, reversed inclined planes, and

an intermediate member having parts thereon that travel between said inclined planes and when at rest engages substantially the highest surfaces of said inclined planes.

- 28. In an apparatus of the class described, an ascending and descending conveyer; and automatic means operated by theforce of gravity for turning said conveyer on its axis during its descension comprising movable inclined planes, reversed inclined planes,

and an intermediate member having parts thereon that travel between said inclined planes and when at rest engage substantially the highest surfaces of said inclined planes;

5 and means for moving said intermediate member in one direction independently of one of said inclined planes.

29. In an apparatus of the class described; a conveyer having a reciprocatory movement; and means for efi'ecting self-rotation 10 thereof between said movements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

CHARLES F. KENWORTHY. 

